American Legion Post 639, which hosted this motorcycle rally in 2016, is partnering with the local job center for a hiring and resource fair for local veterans this Thursday in Springfield.(Photo: Guillermo Hernandez Martinez/News-Leader)

The Missouri Job Center and American Legion Post 639 are joining forces to host a job fair Thursday for local veterans and their families.

The event, which will be held from 2-6 p.m. at American Legion Post 639, 2660 S. Scenic Ave., will be open to all veterans, transitioning service members, reserves, National Guard and military spouses, as well as the general public.

More than 25 employers, including Bass Pro, Wonders of Wildlife, Nestle Purina Petcare, Red Monkey, Vital Farms and T-Mobile will be present to help provide veterans at all stages of re-entry with opportunities to find employment.

"People have just celebrated Independence Day, and now we're helping veterans get theirs," said Sabrina Bonnette, a local veterans employment representative.

Bonnette said people who have had careers in the military often don't have the degrees or certifications that civilians have, but do they have the experience necessary to be positive additions to the workforce.

"We have employers wanting to hire veterans because of their inherent leadership, discipline and integrity," she said. "In the military, you have to do what you say you're going to do because if you don't, the costs can be enormous."

For more information about the event, people should contact Bonnette at 417-841-3353 or Sabrina.Bonnette@ded.mo.gov.